Forget ‘total obliteration’ — experts say Iran and U.S. need to negotiate

People hold flags of Iran and Hezbollah as well as posters of Supreme Leader Khamenei as Iranians take to the streets in the downtown Enghelab (Revolution) Square in Tehran, Iran on June 24, 2025, to celebrate the ceasefire after a 12-day war with Israel.

President Trump doubled down on his claims that the U.S. strikes in Iran last weekend “obliterated” its key nuclear facilities. But experts say that regardless of the amount of damage done to Iran’s nuclear facilities, deliberate negotiations leading to a lasting agreement are crucial to prevent the resumption of war.

(Image credit: NEGAR/Middle East Images)